There will be few tears shed from rivals. The German boss still has the following primary midfield options: the club captain, a £40million summer signing, a long-serving midfielder who initially cost £25million, and a Dutch international in the form of his life.

That is to say nothing of the evergreen, effervescent James Milner, whose prognosis following injury against Manchester City 10 days ago remains to be finalised.

If Milner is to miss playing time as anticipated following his own hamstring injury, then it leaves the Reds short; but their problems do not come in the quality or quantity of the midfield, but its collective function.

Of the four stars currently fit, three have played in the deep-lying no.6 role so far this season; one of those has not featured there regularly since 2016, while another is enjoying his best spell at Anfield in a more withdrawn role. Both Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum, it could be argued, have made the no.6 role their own.

Liverpool's injury concerns

Liverpool are awaiting to discover the true extent of their international injury worries.

Virgil van Dijk played and scored in Netherlands' win over Germany but returned home before the friendly with Belgium, with national boss Ronald Koeman making a big claim over his fitness. Yet the Dutch defender was also present on Thursday.

There is also Fabinho, whose versatility has been hailed but whose skill-set looks set to feature primarily as a no.6 too. Adam Lallana, meanwhile, has been in full training for two weeks but the preference following a year of injury hell would be to ease him back into the fold.

Dilemmas aplenty for Klopp then, and no real perfect solution. Indeed, that was carried off in Rwanda on Tuesday.

But the Reds boss persisted with his captain in that role and has largely served as first-choice there, despite the best efforts of Emre Can.

This season, however, has seen Wijnaldum take up the challenge with aplomb after Henderson's late return from World Cup duty.

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Yet Henderson's most productive years at Liverpool in terms of scoring goals and creating chances came under Brendan Rodgers, with the Northern Irish boss opting to play him further forward.

In 2014/15, his produced his best-ever league season in terms of goals (6) and assists (10).

There would be a period of re-adaptation - playing that role is different under Klopp - but it could provide a solution for both player and club.

Relying on Lallana

It has been a turbulent year for the England midfielder, who has battled with a number of injury setbacks.

Because of that, memories of his excellent 2016/17 season have faded, when Lallana was considered the leader of his side's pressing. He served as Klopp's dog-whistle, initiating when the rest of his team-mates should look to squeeze the space for the opposition.

But after a very stop-start 2017/18, his return this season was also prematurely interrupted because of a hamstring injury on international duty.

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Surprise greeted the Swiss international not reemerging from the Anfield tunnel for the second half that afternoon, but it was clear Klopp wasn't keen on the lack of control he saw from his midfield, despite the three-goal advantage.

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Would Klopp be open to trying it again?

While he brings another attacking dimension to a midfield which has required it so far this season, Klopp would be no doubt mindful of losing a foothold in the centre of the midfield.

Perhaps a 'Plan B', if nothing else.

Shifting to 4-4-2

Liverpool have shown previously that 4-3-3 is not the only tactic they can use to devastating effect.

The 4-4-2 was utilised to great effect, in particular, away to West Ham and Stoke last season.

Using this formation could make the most of what Liverpool currently possess, with any of the club's fit central midfielders being able to function in the two-man midfield.

This system would also give Klopp options out wide - depending on the fitness of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, of course - with Salah, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge able to play up front together.

The Curtis Jones wildcard

The wildest and unlikeliest option, by far.

Curtis Jones impressed during pre-season - including in the United States against high-quality opposition.

Those within the corridors of Melwood are excited over the potential of the youngster, born in the heart of the City Centre.

His rapid rise in midfield - first under Steven Gerrard, and now with the Under-23s - has seen a concerted effort to play down expectations in public.